The groundbreaking ceremony for the Union County TCAT (Tennessee College of Applied Technology) and the Walters State Community College (WSCC) occurred on the Union County High school campus on December 4. The construction fulfills a dream of a multitude of Union County citizens and officials.

In the late 1970s, Fred Simmons wished for a vocational school that would serve students and adults. Dwain Burke achieved a vocational school for students, but one for adults remained a dream. Nearly every public official and hundreds of citizens dreamed of a college in Union County. When Dennis Powers ran for the 36th District Representative of Tennessee in 2010, the citizens told him their dream. Representative Powers went to work.

With the state more amenable to vocational education in recent years, Powers was able to assemble leaders from state and local agencies to plan the facility over the last three years. He also managed to convince the Tennessee Assembly to fund the facility. The college plans to open in January of 2026.

The facility will be a 14,700 square foot building constructed by Evans-Ailey Construction. The TCAT will focus on teaching welding while WSCC will offer dual enrollment classes. The college offers Union County students and adults the chance to gain post high school training without traveling to another county and often waiting more than a year for the opportunity to enroll. Mayor Jason Bailey called the college “the most significant event in Union County in recent times that will change the lives of our citizens for the better.”

President of WSCC Tony Miksa stated that WSCC is grateful for the opportunity to have a presence in Union County. Kelli Chaney, president of TCAT Knoxville, congratulated Union County Schools and Representative Powers for their vision to provide needed career opportunities. Director Greg Clay thanked all who had a part in making this dream come true.